February 21, 2013, 05:26 AM | #1 |
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1st handgun
Hello everyone I am getting ready to purchase my first handgun and have been given a lot of info and could use some help sorting it all out.
#1 action. I am going to buy a semi auto. That said da/sa /or striker fired? What are the pros/cons? I have heard that striker guns are less reliable than hammer actions and more likely to fail in the cold. Is this true? I live in MI and it gets cold here. I have also noticed that local pds tend to go for hammer guns. #2 caliber. My dad retired before the introduction of the 40 cal in le and has never shot one but all the guys I know on the pd love the 40 cal. My dad did have plenty of 9mm pistols and was happy with them but also liked the 1911 he was issued as an mp. The leos I have talked to all say the 9mm lacks stopping power, but the .45s just don't have the ammo cap I'm looking for. I am however worried my wife would not be able to control the recoil of a .40. #3 brand. My father has recommended sig, s&w, h&k, beretta, but some of the rugers have caught my eye along with the fn models. #4 capacity. I'm not going to bet my life and or my wife's on less than 12 rounds. #5 models. The sigs that have caught my eye are the p226 & p229. H&k p2000. S&w m&p. Beretta 92a1 & 96a1 & px4 though I have heard bad things about the px4. Ruger sr series. And the fnx 40 or 9. So how to narrow this down when I like them all? The most important thing is it be reliable and accurate. So advice? And please no caliber wars. I'm looking for info that comes from experience good or bad if possible factual evidence. Thanks in advance everyone. Last edited by fragtagninja; February 21, 2013 at 05:54 AM. |
February 21, 2013, 05:52 AM | #2 |
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For a first handgun, its best to stick with 9mm. Especially if you're wife will be shooting it .A .40 pretty much has the recoil of a .45. I recommend the Ruger SR9. Or if your'e on a tighter budget the P95 is also a good choice. I am admittedly partial to Rugers, sorry
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February 21, 2013, 06:02 AM | #3 |
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I probably should have mentioned that I have spent some time shooting my dad's hand guns rifles and shotguns. Been a few years, but I used to be a pretty good marksman so I do have some experience, just not knowledge since I always just shout my dad's guns.
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February 21, 2013, 07:58 AM | #4 |
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You'll need to go to the gun store and handle some of these guns you're interested in. All of the ones you are considering from the major manufacturors would serve you well. You need to find one that feels good and has sights that you can work with easily. Go play with a few.
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February 21, 2013, 08:50 AM | #5 | |
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If you're looking for a CCW, the SR9 or SR9c is a good choice in the Ruger lineup. Good luck with whatever you choose. |
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February 21, 2013, 09:03 AM | #6 |
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Kinda depends on what you are using it for. HD or range and you'll be fine with your options listed. For carry, a 15 round double stack 9mm may be too wide for you.
You mention the Sig P226. It was my first pistol as well. 15 round mags, double stack 9mm, DA/SA and incredibly reliable and accurate. Can't go wrong with a new P226 or certified pre-owned. |
February 21, 2013, 09:26 AM | #7 |
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As I was in your shoes a few years back - been a while since shooting all my Dads stuff and he is a .45 guy. Didn't even have a 9mm except for an old Luger from my great uncle.
Anyway, fast forward. He now has a 9mm Kel Tek for carry, and I have a safe full of .22 and 9mm. No .40 and a few .45's. All the guns mentioned are good - but you didn't mention price? I would go for a good d/a hammer for first. This allows (in my experience) better practice with dry firing, but that is just me compared to striker fired. So my first gun was the Beretta PX4 Storm in 9mm. Came with a free holster that carried the extra 17rnd mag. So just stock has 34 rounds at my fingertips. That is a lot. Compare to my Dads 1911 and you get 14 or 16 at best and is heavier and bigger. I love the Px4. Built well, solid for a polymer and ultra reliable. It shoots the rounds that have jammed in other guns (messing with reloading so not other guns fault) without fail. I would highly recommend for first gun. Plus it is not that expensive. But there are plenty of guns out there. The Beretta 92, Sig (is on my list but a little $$$) and Rugers are good too. |
February 21, 2013, 09:59 AM | #8 |
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if you're on a budget the sr9 or sr9c is the way to go. if you have the budget for a sig p229, it's a no brainer. buy the p229. if you fall somewhere in between look at the cz 75b for hammer fired or walther ppq for striker.
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February 21, 2013, 11:01 AM | #9 |
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A good first handgun is an older 3rd generation S&W double-stacked 9mm's, like the 5906. DA/SA; 15+ rounds; durable; easy to shoot; easy to maintain, priced below what they should be.
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February 21, 2013, 12:43 PM | #10 |
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If money is not your first concern then a P-226 Sig. A great place to start especially with your wife. Start with 9mm and upgrade later if necessary.
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February 21, 2013, 12:51 PM | #11 | |||||
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As far as hammer fired being more reliable than striker? I've never heard this before. The issued sidearm of the Alaska State Troopers is the Glock 22, a striker fired pistol. If there were issues with cold, and striker fired guns, they wouldn't issue that gun. Any quality, modern semi-auto is going to be very reliable, whether they're striker or hammer fired. Quote:
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Having said that, many trainers teach that most gun fights occur at less than 3 yards, are over in less than 3 seconds, and with 3 or fewer shots fired. Chances are you won't need more than 5 or 6 rounds, let alone the 12, so don't let a lower capacity worry you. For reference, I carry a Glock 19 (9mm - compact) that holds 15+1, so I like higher capacity over lower capacity. Quote:
Best bet is to try as many guns out as possible, and have your wife try them also. Don't shoehorn your wife into a particular gun. If she likes something that you don't, it might be worthwhile for you each to get a gun. My wife hates my Glock, and I'm not a big fan of her Sig SP2022. If I made her use my Glock, she just wouldn't shoot at all. So, it's a good idea to keep that in mind. |
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February 22, 2013, 05:04 AM | #12 |
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The OP says accuracy and reliability are MOST IMPORTANT.
That's easy: Sig 226 or Sig 229. My 226 is as accurate as many 1911's and has never had any kind of malfunction on any kind of ammo including re-loads. Cannot go wrong with either one. More money, worth it. But be sure to handle and fire as many of the aforementioned guns as you can...there is no substitute for a little bit of familiarity with multiple brands/models when looking to buy. |
February 22, 2013, 02:54 PM | #13 | |
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Not saying they're bad guns, they certainly aren't, but any of the guns he has listed are very reliable and very accurate. |
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February 22, 2013, 03:01 PM | #14 |
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The only problem with getting a Sig 226 for a first gun is there's not much to step up to, your starting near the top. That said, go for it.
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February 22, 2013, 04:39 PM | #15 |
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New to firearms...
I agree that a new or entry level gun owner buy a simple robust .357magnum or .38spl +P. A DA only SP101 or a Ruger LCR could do well. You can add a custom XS front sight & get a CT lasergrip; www.crimsontrace.com .
If you really want a pistol, get a hammer fired DA only model like the new Walther PPX, the HK P30 or P2000 LEM, the S&W SD9 or SD40, or the SIG Sauer P229R/P226R DAK in 9x19mm, .40s&w, .357sig. A DA only model is safe & you can learn the basics. Clyde |
February 22, 2013, 07:06 PM | #16 |
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Sig Sauer
Sig Sauer P226
Sig Sauer P229 They have hammer's and are very good high end handguns. They come in many caliber's such as 9mm, and .40. The Coast Guard uses the P229 and it is an excellent weapon, as is the P226. |
February 22, 2013, 07:28 PM | #17 | |||||
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February 23, 2013, 06:28 AM | #18 |
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Anybody that suggests that a Sig 229 or 226 isn't more accurate then a Ruger SR, or a S&W M&P, Or Beretta PX4, in my opinion should re-evaluate their statement, I don't care what distance you're shooting at or what level of shooter you are, you will see a difference.
Reliability can be argued all day, Sigs are among the best, and I don't think that can be disputed. Are they the MOST reliable? Of the guns you mentioned, YES, I think they are. And of every gun you mentioned an interest in, the Sigs and probably the Beretta 92 are more accurate than the others. |
February 23, 2013, 11:14 PM | #19 |
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Tristar Viper,
I'm not sure who was arguing about the accuracy of Sig's. I can tell you that in the hands of a new shooter, a striker fired gun will be much more accurate than the double action trigger pull of a Sig. This is coming from someone who owns a Sig P229 and owned a P228 and P245. Are Sig's fired in SA very accurate? Absolutely. Is it significantly more accurate than the other brands listed? I'm not so sure. Does the difference in accuracy mean anything at typical self defense distances? Probably not. As for reliability, I'd find it hard to say any of the mentioned handguns, properly broken in with good ammo, is more or less reliable than the others.
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February 24, 2013, 07:56 PM | #20 |
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My best advice,
Talk is cheap, Go shoot them!
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February 26, 2013, 10:00 PM | #21 |
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Thanks for the input gentlemen. It seems I am pre destined to be a sig owner since that seems to be the only thing Available in my area right now. Everything else is on backorder. At least the sig dealers are not trying to price gouge me.
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February 26, 2013, 10:27 PM | #22 |
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SIG Sauer...
The SIG Sauer "Classic" line seems to get the most + reviews. The P220/P224/P229/P226/P227.
The polymer frame P290RS 9x19mm is highly rated but that's a rare exception for most SIG Sauer models. Many like or use the 2202 SIG models but I never shot any or used them on duty so I couldn't say. A SIG Sauer P229R with a .22LR kit add-on is smart. You can shoot both .22LR & a 9x19mm/.40S&W/.357sig. Glock has a kit too for the model 22 & 23 pistols. ClydeFrog |
February 26, 2013, 10:36 PM | #23 | |
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February 27, 2013, 11:44 AM | #24 | ||||
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Since you basically misquoted me, let me elaborate here.
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http://www.idpa.com/blog/post/2012/1...The-Range.aspx To conclude, Sigs are great guns. But there is nothing about them that make them far and away better than any other leading brand. They aren't noticably more accurate or reliable than other brands, and certainly, just for the possible increase in reliability and accuracy aren't worth the 30% premium in price. In the end, get what you want, and what shoots good for you. If it's a Sig, great, if it's an SR9, awesome. You won't go wrong with any of the guns you mentioned. |
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February 27, 2013, 12:00 PM | #25 |
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Rent the range
Definitely try to get to a range and rent out as many different models as possible. That is a MUST before you buy, unless you plan on buying again soon. If you fail to do this you will find out what you like later and it likely won't be what you bought.
There's nothing wrong with .40 but it is snappy and is a good bit more expensive than 9mm and doesn't really offer too much more power. I'd stick with 9mm. Our opinions don't matter nearly as much as YOUR HANDS do. Remember that. All of the brands you listed would serve you very well. I've owned them all and would put my endorsement on any of them. Pete |
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